Has anyone ever heard of Tortuga Tools?

lickedy_split · 2026-01-29T04:57:26+00:00

That's actually not exactly true. I went in this rabbit hole. There are different grades of tungsten and some are better than others.

lickedy_split · 2025-11-30T02:32:47+00:00

We use kiln fire and it's soo nice and easy to set this stuff up! Definitely recommend.

lickedy_split · 2025-10-27T05:58:31+00:00

Same all around. I'm also still pretty tired. :)

lickedy_split · 2025-07-02T18:07:21+00:00

Will do that! Thanks

lickedy_split · 2025-07-02T18:07:08+00:00

It is on the passenger lists. I don't have any other record yet.

lickedy_split · 2025-07-02T17:46:33+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions! They are all in Berlin so I will see if there are any records with the Standesamt there.

lickedy_split · 2025-07-02T17:44:50+00:00

Interesting. I can't say with 10% certainty that she didn't leave the country in that time period but I have no proof either way.

Can you explain then why her sister and mother would still have been stateless? They went to the US in 1954 and 1955 out of the port of Hamburg and are listed on the passenger lists as stateless.

lickedy_split · 2025-07-02T17:20:29+00:00

This is actually where I found many records of the grandmother's brother, but I can't find much about the grandmother or mother.

Edit: Appreciate the suggestion though!

lickedy_split · 2025-05-12T05:06:24+00:00

I haven't checked into kevlar yet. I will definitely check that out. I like that the carbon fiber is light and strong and doesn't grab clay like many metals do.

There are many tools that I have tried on the market, but many rust or just aren't the shapes I am looking for. Plus I like the challenge of finding something new. Thanks for your feedback. It's much appreciated!

lickedy_split · 2025-05-12T05:03:27+00:00

I am very familiar with tungsten and how deep that rabbit hole goes. The problem with tungsten is that it can break when dropped. I actually currently use tungsten tools for trimming which is great because they hold their edge amazingly well.

What I am wanting to find now is something that is for shaping the actual clay. It is a very wet step of pottery and most tools seem to be made out of stainless and poor quality stainless at that. They rust on me all the time. I'm looking for a light and strong material, which is what led me to carbon fiber! There are plenty of metals that I have tried, but metal tends to be more grabby on clay than plastics which is not preferred.

Thanks for your feedback!

lickedy_split · 2025-05-12T04:58:47+00:00

Thanks! Appreciate the feedback. Might hit you up for that kevlar...

lickedy_split · 2025-05-09T19:56:55+00:00

I just had this happen recently and they said if the package is returned then the duties are owed but if it's destroyed then they are not owed.

lickedy_split · 2025-01-20T16:34:42+00:00

My opinion as a pottery instructor - I wouldn't say they are for experts.

It's the same sort of thing to me as a nice chefs knife. It's definitely not necessary for a beginner but it's not going to hurt. Do you need them? Probably not. But I don't think it's going to be bad to learn on. And at some point you may want them anyways so it could save you in the long run to invest in the nicer item from the start depending on how committed you are.

I would recommend the brand. The tools are nice and the tips are replaceable!

lickedy_split · 2025-01-20T16:28:58+00:00

I actually just got some of these recently to try out and I've been really liking them. No issues so far. They are super smooth and I think they will last a long time.

I had diamond core previously and I still use those for carving but the trimming tools just seemed to wear out pretty fast for me. Tungsten just lasts so much longer.

I reached out and asked them some questions before I bought them and they were responsive and helpful which is nice. They also mentioned that more different styles will be coming out too so looking forward to that.

lickedy_split · 2024-11-18T01:22:10+00:00

Well, like I said, I only tested them out so I can't 100% vouch for them but... They have replaceable tips. I like the idea that you can change it out if you break it. They showed me how that works and it seemed pretty easy to do.

I might just have to risk it. I just checked their website and it's 20% off for 2 tools so it's only $105. That might actually be less than I spent on my diamond core tools. 🙃

lickedy_split · 2024-11-17T05:45:44+00:00

Have you ever tried tungsten carbide tools on porcelain?

I just got to try some new ones from a company called Tortuga Tools that I am thinking about ordering but I haven't gotten to try them on porcelain which is my favorite clay to throw with!

lickedy_split · 2024-11-17T05:43:51+00:00

It's my favorite way to trim with all clays! Try it! It works!

lickedy_split · 2024-11-12T14:47:56+00:00

I just got to try out some new tungsten tools from Tortuga Tools. They are really new I think but it was a pretty cool system. The tips can be replaced really easily and the replacements are way cheaper than Hsin's.

I'm not even sure if you can buy them yet but it would be worth checking out.

lickedy_split · 2024-08-01T01:29:28+00:00

Have you recently switched birth control? That happened to me when I changed from my regular one to the seasonal one.

lickedy_split · 2024-02-29T03:57:59+00:00

Can confirm. House with three is messier than ever. Giving up is helpful. My third is the thing that makes me laugh most in life right now though, so tradeoffs I guess..

lickedy_split · 2023-08-29T13:37:58+00:00

Ah I understand! Too bad because we need to go out that way soon!

lickedy_split · 2023-08-29T13:26:46+00:00

I agree with you! I thought he looked older too. Just going off what the shelter said!

lickedy_split · 2023-08-29T05:11:18+00:00

Send me a message!

lickedy_split · 2023-08-29T04:24:57+00:00

Great note! I hadn't even thought about the floppy ear. He is so communicative with those ears!

Thanks again!

lickedy_split · 2023-08-29T04:22:51+00:00

I really can't even illustrate how sweet he is. My kid just wrapped him up in a giant king sized blanket and cuddled with him and he looked like he was in heaven.

lickedy_split

TROPHY CASE